Aqueous liquid preparation containing 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid

ABSTRACT

An aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention containing 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or its pharmacologically acceptable salt or a hydrate thereof, an alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymer such as tyloxapol, or a polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester such as polyethylene glycol monostearate is stable. An embodiment of said liquid preparation does not include any preservative. Said aqueous liquid preparation in the form of an eye drop is useful for the treatment of blepharitis, conjunctivitis, scleritis, and postoperative inflammation. Also, the aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention in the form of a nasal drop is useful for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and inflammatory rhinitis (e.g. chronic rhinitis, hypertrophic rhinitis, nasal polyp, etc.).

This application is a continuation-in-part of application of Ser. No. 14/165,976 filed Jan. 28, 2014, which is a divisional application of Ser. No. 13/687,242 filed Nov. 28, 2012, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,669,290, which is a divisional application of Ser. No. 13/353,653 filed Jan. 19, 2012, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,497,304, which is a divisional application of Ser. No. 10/525,006 filed Mar. 28, 2005, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,129,431, which is a U.S. national stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2004/000350 filed Jan. 16, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an aqueous liquid preparation containing 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to an aqueous liquid preparation containing 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof and an alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymer or a polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester.

BACKGROUND ART

Benzoylphenylacetic acid derivatives including bromfenac (generic name) of formula (I)

of which chemical name is 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid are known as disclosed in JP-A-23052/1977 and its corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,576. 2-Amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid, its pharmacologically acceptable salt and a hydrate thereof are known as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, and they are effective against inflammatory diseases of anterior or posterior segment of the eye, such as blepharitis, conjunctivitis, scleritis, and postoperative inflammation in the field of ophthalmology, and its sodium salt has been practically used in the form of eye drops (“New Drugs in Japan, 2001”, 2001 Edition, Published by Yakuji Nippo Ltd., May 11, 2001, p. 27-29).

The eye drop as mentioned above is designed to stabilize 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid by means of addition of a water-soluble polymer (e.g. polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, etc.) and a sulfite (e.g. sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, etc.) (Japanese patent No. 2,683,676 and its corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,225).

In addition, as an eye drop other than the above-mentioned one, Japanese patent No. 2,954,356 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,603,929 and 5,653,972) discloses a stable ophthalmic composition which comprises incorporating an antibacterial quaternary ammonium polymer and boric acid into an acidic ophthalmic agent. The acidic agent described therein includes, for example, 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid.

Further, in Japanese patent No. 2,954,356, there is the following description—“Benzalkonium chloride is a widely used preservative in ophthalmic solutions. However, benzalkonium chloride and other quaternary ammonium compounds are generally considered to be incompatible with ophthalmic compositions of drugs with acidic groups, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These preservatives lose their ability to function as they form complexes with the charged drug compounds”.

In these prior art references, there is no disclosure that alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymers or polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters are able to stabilize an aqueous liquid preparation of 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or its pharmacologically acceptable salt, and inhibit decrease in preservative effect of benzalkonium chloride and other quaternary ammonium compounds.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an aqueous liquid preparation comprising 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof, which is stable within a pH range giving no irritation to eyes and in which, when a preservative such as benzalkonium chloride is incorporated therein, preservative effect of the preservative does not substantially deteriorate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for stabilizing an aqueous liquid preparation of 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof.

Further object of the invention is to provide an aqueous liquid preparation comprising 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof and a preservative, wherein, when specifically a quaternary ammonium salt such as benzalkonium chloride is incorporated as a preservative, decrease in preservative effect of said preservative is inhibited.

As a result of various studies, the inventors of the present invention have found that, by adding, for example, an alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymer such as tyloxapol, or a polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester such as polyethylene glycol monostearate to an aqueous liquid preparation of 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof, the aqueous solution becomes stable within a pH range giving no irritation to eyes, and change of the 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid over time can be inhibited, and furthermore, when the aqueous solution contains a preservative, deterioration in the preservative effect of said preservative can be inhibited for a long period of time. The inventors of the present invention have further studied extensively and completed the present invention.

Namely, the present invention relates to:

(1) An aqueous liquid preparation comprising 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof, and an alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymer or a polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester,

(2) The aqueous liquid preparation according to the above (1), wherein the alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymer has a polymerization degree of 3 to 10, the alkyl contains 1 to 18 carbon atoms, the aryl is a phenyl residue, and the polyether alcohol is represented by the formula O(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)H in which x is an integer of 5 to 100,

(3) The aqueous liquid preparation according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymer is tyloxapol,

(4) The aqueous liquid preparation according to the above (1), wherein the carbon number of the fatty acid in the polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester is 12 to 18,

(5) The aqueous liquid preparation according to the above (1) or (4), wherein the polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester is polyethylene glycol monostearate,

(6) The aqueous liquid preparation according to any one of the above (1) to (3), wherein the concentration of the alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymer is selected from a range of minimum concentration of 0.01 w/v % to maximum concentration of 0.5 w/v %,

(7) The aqueous liquid preparation according to any one of the above (1), (2) or (4), wherein the concentration of the polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester is selected from a range of minimum concentration of 0.02 w/v % to maximum concentration of 0.1 w/v %,

(8) The aqueous liquid preparation according to any one of the above (1) to (7), wherein the concentration of the 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof is 0.01 to 0.5 w/v %,

(9) The aqueous liquid preparation according to any one of the above (1) to (8), wherein benzalkonium chloride is contained as a preservative,

(10) The aqueous liquid preparation according to anyone of the above (1) to (9), wherein the pharmacologically acceptable salt of 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid is a sodium salt,

(11) The aqueous liquid preparation according to any one of the above (1) to (10), wherein the pH of the aqueous liquid preparation is within a range of 7 to 9,

(12) The aqueous liquid preparation according to the above (11), wherein the pH of the aqueous liquid preparation is within a range of 7.5 to 8.5,

(13) The aqueous liquid preparation according to any one of the above (1) to (12), wherein the aqueous liquid preparation is an eye drop,

(14) The aqueous liquid preparation according to any one of the above (1) to (12), wherein the aqueous liquid preparation is a nasal drop,

(15) An eye drop comprising sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate hydrate and 0.01 to 0.5 w/v % of tyloxapol,

(16) An eye drop comprising sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate hydrate and 0.02 to 0.1 w/v % of polyethylene glycol monostearate,

(17) A method for stabilizing 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof in an aqueous liquid preparation, which comprises incorporating tyloxapol or polyethylene glycol monostearate into an aqueous liquid preparation containing 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof, and

(18) A method for inhibiting decrease in preservative effect of a preservative in an aqueous liquid preparation of 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof, which comprises incorporating tyloxapol or polyethylene glycol monostearate into an aqueous liquid preparation containing 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof and a preservative.

According to the present invention, a stable aqueous liquid preparation containing 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof can be prepared by incorporating an alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymer such as tyloxapol, or a polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester such as polyethylene glycol monostearate into an aqueous liquid preparation containing 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof. Also, an aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention, wherein a preservative is incorporated, has a sufficient preservative effect.

Therefore, the aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention is advantageously used as an eye drop for the treatment of, for example, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, scleritis, and postoperative inflammation. In addition, such aqueous liquid preparation can be used as a nasal drop for the treatment of, for example, allergic rhinitis and inflammatory rhinitis (e.g. chronic rhinitis, hypertrophic rhinitis, nasal polyp, etc.).

The pharmacologically acceptable salt of 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)-phenylacetic acid includes, for example, an alkali metal salt such as sodium salt and potassium salt, and an alkaline earth metal salt such as calcium salt and magnesium salt, among which sodium salt is especially preferable.

2-Amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid and its pharmacologically acceptable salt can be prepared according to the method as described in JP-A-23052/1977 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,576) or by a similar method thereof. These compounds can be obtained as their hydrate depending on synthetic conditions and recrystallization conditions. The hydrate includes 1/2 hydrate, 1 hydrate, and 3/2 hydrate, among which 3/2) hydrate is preferable.

In the aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention, the content (concentration range) of 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof is usually about 0.01 to 0.5 w/v %, preferably about 0.05 to 0.2 w/v %, especially about 0.1 w/v %, and it is preferable to appropriately vary the content depending on the purpose of use and the degree of disease to be treated.

The carbon number of the alkyl in the an alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymer which is a non-ionic surfactant used as a stabilizer for 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof is approximately 1 to 18. Specifically, the alkyl group includes, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclobutyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, tert-pentyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, cyclopentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, heptyl, isoheptyl, octyl, isooctyl, nonyl, isononyl, decyl, isodecyl, undecyl, isoundecyl, dodecyl, isododecyl, tridecyl, isotridecyl, tetradecyl, isotetradecyl, pentadecyl, isopentadecyl, hexadecyl, isohexadecyl, heptadecyl, isoheptadecyl, octadecyl, isooctadecyl, and isomers thereof, among which octyl and its isomer (e.g. isooctyl, sec-octyl, 1-methylheptyl, 1-ethylhexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 1-propylpentyl, 1,5-dimethylhexyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl-, etc.) are preferable, and 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl which is an isomer of octyl groups is especially preferable.

The aryl in the alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymer can be preferably a phenyl residue. The polyether alcohol can be represented by the formula O(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)H in which x is an integer of 5 to 100, preferably 5 to 30, more preferably 8 to 10. The average polymerization degree is preferably about 3 to 10.

Among the above-mentioned alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymers, tyloxapol having the following formula is especially preferable.

The fatty acid of the polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester which is a non-ionic surfactant used as a stabilizer for 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl-)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof can be preferably a fatty acid having the carbon number of 12 to 18. Specific examples of such polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters are polyethylene glycol monostearate (e.g. polyoxyl 8 stearate, polyoxyl 40 stearate, etc.), polyethylene glycol monolaurate, polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyethylene glycol diisostearate, polyethylene glycol dilaurate, polyethylene glycol dioleate, and the like. Among these compounds, polyethylene glycol monostearate is preferable, and polyoxyl 40 stearate is especially preferable. The polyoxyl 40 stearate is a monostearic acid ester of an ethylene oxide condensed polymer, and can be represented by the formula C₁₇H₃₅COO(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)H which is a non-ionic surfactant and n is about 40.

Although the content (concentration range) of the alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymer in the aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention depends on the kind of compounds used, the minimum concentration is about 0.01 w/v % and the maximum concentration is about 0.5 w/v %. With respect to the tyloxapol content (concentration range), for example, the minimum content is about 0.01 w/v %, 0.02 w/v % or 0.03 w/v %, and the maximum content is about 0.05 w/v %, 0.1 w/v %, 0.3 w/v % or 0.5% w/v, and preferably the minimum content is about 0.02 w/v % and the maximum content is about 0.05 w/v %.

Although the content (concentration range) of the polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester in the aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention depends on the kind of compounds used, it is within a range of about 0.02 w/v % of minimum concentration to about 0.1 w/v % of maximum concentration. For example, the content (concentration range) of polyethylene glycol monostearate is within a range of about 0.02 w/v % of minimum content to about 0.1 w/v of maximum content, and preferably within a range of about 0.02 w/v % of the minimum content to about 0.05 w/v % of the maximum content.

The incorporation ratio of tyloxapol in the aqueous liquid preparation of the invention is within a range of the minimum content of about 0.1 or 0.2 part by weight to the maximum content of about 0.5, 1, 3 or 5 parts by weight, relative to 1 part by weight of 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or its pharmacologically acceptable salt or a hydrate thereof.

The incorporation ratio of polyethylene glycol monostearate in the aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention is within a range of the minimum content of about 0.2 part by weight to the maximum content of about 0.5 or 1 part by weight, relative to 1 part by weight of 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or its pharmacologically acceptable salt or a hydrate thereof.

The preservative used in the present invention includes, for example, quaternary ammonium salts (e.g. benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, etc.), chlorhexidine gluconate, and the like, among which benzalkonium chloride is especially preferable.

Further, so long as the purpose of the present invention is achieved, conventional various additives such as isotonics, buffers, thickners, stabilizers, chelating agents, pH controlling agents, perfumes and the like may be appropriately added to the aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention. The isotonics include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, glycerine, mannitol, sorbitol, boric acid, glucose, propylene glycol and the like. The buffers include, for example, phosphate buffer, borate buffer, citrate buffer, tartarate buffer, acetate buffer, boric acid, borax, amino acids, and the like. The thickners include polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxymethylcellulose, carboxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium polyacrylate, and the like. The stabilizers include sulfites such as sodium sulfite and the like. The chelating agents include sodium edetate, sodium citrate, condensed sodium phosphate and the like. The pH controlling agents include hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, phosphoric acid, acetic acid and the like. The perfumes include l-menthol, borneol, camphor, Eucalyptus oil, and the like.

With respect to the concentrations of the above various additives in the aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention, the isotonic is incorporated into an osmotic pressure ratio of about 0.8 to 1.2, and the concentrations of the buffer and the thickener to be added are about 0.01 to 2 w/v % and 0.1 to 10 w/v %, respectively.

The pH of the aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention is adjusted to about 6 to 9, preferably about 7 to 9, especially about 7.5 to 8.5.

So long as the purpose of the present invention is achieved, other same or different kind of active ingredients may be appropriately added.

The aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention can be prepared by per se known method or according to the method as described in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, 14^(th) Edition, General Rules for Preparations, Solutions or Ophthalmic Solutions.

The aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention can be applied to warm-blooded animals such as human, rat, mouse, rabbit, cow, pig, dog, cat, and the like.

The aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention can be prepared easily by dissolving the above-mentioned components in, for example, distilled water or sterile purified water. For example, the aqueous liquid preparation in the form of an eye drop can be used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases in anterior or posterior segment of the eye such as blepharitis, conjunctivitis, scleritis, postoperative inflammation, and the like. The dose of the aqueous liquid preparation containing 0.1 w/v % of sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate hydrate is, for example, administered to an adult 3 to 6 times daily in an amount of 1 to 2 drops per one time. Depending on the degree of diseases, frequency of dosing is appropriately controlled.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is illustrated by way of the following Experimental Examples and Working Examples, but it is not restricted by these Examples.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLE 1

Stability Test of Sodium 2-Amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate

Four eye drops of sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate comprising the components as shown in Table 1 were prepared, filled respectively into a polypropylene container and subjected to stability test at 60° C.

TABLE 1 Comparison Component Example 1 A-01 A-02 A-03 Sodium 2-amino-3-(4- 0.1 g 0.1 g 0.1 g 0.1 g bromobenzoyl)phenyl- acetate Boric acid 1.5 g 1.5 g 1.5 g 1.5 g Benzalkonium chloride 0.005 g 0.005 g 0.005 g 0.005 g Polysorbate 80 0.15 g — — — Polyoxyl 40 stearate — 0.15 g — — Tyloxapol — — 0.15 g 0.02 g Sterile purified water q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s Total volume 100 mL 100 mL 100 mL 100 mL pH 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 Remaining rate (%) 51.3 63.7 73.8 89.6 at 60° C. after 4 weeks

The remaining rate (%) in the above Table 1 indicates values obtained by correcting moisture vaporization from the container. As is apparent from the Table 1, stability test was carried out under the conditions of pH 7.0 at 60° C. for 4 weeks, and sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate in each eye drop was stable in the order of tyloxapol-containing preparation>polyoxyl 40 stearate-containing preparation>polysorbate 80-containing preparation.

Further, with respect to eye drops containing tyloxapol (compositions A-02 and A-03), sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate in composition A-03 containing 0.02 w/v % of tyloxapol is more stable than that in composition A-02 containing 0.15 w/v % of tyloxapol.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLE 2

Stability Test of Sodium 2-Amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate

Five eye drops of sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate comprising the components as shown in Table 2 were prepared, filled respectively into a polypropylene container and preserved at 60.degree. C. for 4 weeks, and then the content of 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid and the pH in each eye drop were measured.

TABLE 2 Components A-04 A-05 A-06 A-07 A-08 Sodium 2-amino-3-(4- 0.1 g 0.1 g 0.1 g 0.1 g 0.1 g bromobenzoyl)phenyl- acetate Boric acid 1.1 g 1.1 g 1.1 g 1.1 g 1.1 g Borax 1.1 g 1.1 g 1.1 g 1.1 g 1.1 g Benzalkonium chloride 0.005 g 0.005 g 0.005 g 0.005 g 0.005 g Polysorbate 80 — — — — — Tyloxapol 0.02 g 0.05 g 0.03 g — — Polyoxyl 40 stearate — — — 0.02 g 0.05 g Polyvinyl- 2.0 g 2.0 g 2.0 g 2.0 g 1.0 g pyrrolidone (K-30) Sodium edetate 0.02 g 0.02 g 0.02 g 0.02 g 0.02 g Sodium hydroxide q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. Sterile purified q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. water Total volume 100 mL 100 mL 100 mL 100 mL 100 mL pH 8.17 8.16 8.15 8.19 8.19 60° C., Remaining rate 92.6 90.9 92.0 93.4 93.1 4 weeks (%) pH 8.15 8.16 8.15 8.13 8.14

Table 2 shows the remaining rate and the pH of sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate after storage at 60° C. for 4 weeks, when the remaining rate of sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)-phenylacetate at the time of production of eye drops is set to 100%. The remaining rate is a value obtained by correcting moisture vaporization from the container. As is apparent from Table 2, the remaining rate of sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate in the compositions A-04, A-05, A-06, A-07 and A-08 containing 0.02 w/v %, 0.03 w/v % and 0.05 w/v % of tyloxapol or 0.02 w/v % and 0.05 w/v % of polyoxyl 40 stearate is not less than 90% after storage at 60° C. for 4 weeks, which indicates that those compositions have sufficient stability for eye drops.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLE 3

Preservative Effect Test of Aqueous Liquid Preparation Containing Sodium 2-Amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate

Preservative effect test of compositions A-04, A-05 and A-07 of Experimental Example 2 was carried out against Staphylococcus aureus (hereinafter referred to as S. aureus), Escherichia Coli (hereinafter referred to as E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (hereinafter referred to as P. aeruginosa), Candida albicans (hereinafter referred to as C. albicans) and Aspergillus niger (hereinafter referred to as A. niger).

The results are shown in Tables 3-1, 3-2 and 3-3.

TABLE 3-1 Cell count (CFU/mL) 6 hours 24 hours 7 days 14 days 21 days 28 days Inoculum after after after after after after A-04 count inoculation inoculation inoculation inoculation inoculation inoculation S. aureus 2.1 × 10⁶ 3.0 × 10¹ 0 0 0 0 0 E. coli 6.5 × 10⁶ 0 0 0 0 0 0 P. aeruginosa 5.8 × 10⁶ 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. albicans 3.2 × 10⁵ — — 0 0 0 0 A. niger 1.8 × 10⁵ — — 0 0 0 0

TABLE 3-2 Cell count (CFU/mL) 6 hours 24 hours 7 days 14 days 21 days 28 days Inoculum after after after after after after A-05 count inoculation inoculation inoculation inoculation inoculation inoculation S. aureus 2.1 × 10⁶ 1.7 × 10⁵ 2.0 × 10¹ 0 0 0 0 E. coli 6.5 × 10⁶ 0 0 0 0 0 0 P. aeruginosa 5.8 × 10⁶ 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. albicans 3.2 × 10⁵ — — 0 0 0 0 A. niger 1.8 × 10⁵ — — 0 0 0 0

TABLE 3-3 Cell count (CFU/mL) 6 hours 24 hours 7 days 14 days 21 days 28 days Inoculum after after after after after after A-07 count inoculation inoculation inoculation inoculation inoculation inoculation S. aureus 2.7 × 10⁶ 3.1 × 10⁴ 0 0 0 0 0 E. coli 7.4 × 10⁶ 0 0 0 0 0 0 P. aeruginosa 8.8 × 10⁶ 0 0 0 0 0 0 C. albicans 4.6 × 10⁵ — — 0 0 0 0 A. niger 1.0 × 10⁵ — — 0 0 0 0

As is apparent from Tables 3-1, 3-2 and 3-3, the preservative effect of composition A-04 was found to be compatible with EP-criteria A in European Pharmacopoeia (EP), and those of compositions A-05 and A-07 were found to be compatible with EP-criteria B.

The EP-criteria A and EP-criteria B are given in the following.

EP-Criteria A:

Viable cell counts of bacteria (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa) 6 hours, 24 hours, and 28 days after inoculation decrease to not more than 1/100, not more than 1/1000, and undetectable, respectively.

Viable cell count of fungi (C. albicans, A. niger) 7 hours after inoculation decreases to not more than 1/100, and thereafter, the cell count levels off or decreases.

EP-Criteria B

Viable cell counts of bacteria (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa) 24 hours and 7 days after inoculation decrease to not more than 1/10 and not more than 1/1000, respectively, and thereafter, the cell count levels off or decreases.

Viable cell count of fungi (C. albicans, A. niger) 14 days after inoculation decreases to not more than 1/10, and thereafter, the cell count keeps the same level as that of 14 days after inoculation.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLE 4

In another aspect of the present invention, an aqueous liquid preparation is a non-preserved preparation or formulation. Such a non-preserved preparation or formulation does not include any preservative that is conventionally used in ophthalmic preparations or formulations, such as those disclosed hereinabove. In a still further aspect of the present invention, a non-preserved preparation or formulation is provided comprising a stabilized bromfenac which does not require, but may optionally contain, an alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type polymer and/or a polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester.

Many non-preserved formulations were prepared and the chemical stability of bromfenac, as determined by the remaining amount of bromfenac after storage at 40° C. and 60° C. after 1 month. The compositions of these formulations are shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Formulation UDB-1 UDB-2 UDB-3 UDB-4 UDB-9 UDB-10 UDB-11 UDB-12 UDB-13 UDB-14 UDB-15 Component (% w/v) Bromfenac sodium 0.05 0.05 0.055 0.055 0.063 0.063 0.063 0.063 0.063 0.063 0.063 Boric acid 1.9 0 1.9 0 1.9 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 Sodium borate (sodium 0.1 0 0.1 0 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 tetraborate) Disodium edetate 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0 0 0 0 0.02 0 0.02 Sodium chloride 0 0.8 0.8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sodium phosphate 0 0.12 0 0.12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 monobasic, monohydrate Disodium phosphate, 0 0.31 0 0.31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 hexahydrate Povidone 0 0 1.0 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tyloxapol 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Hydroxypropylmethyl 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 0.1 0 0 cellulose Sodium sulfite 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 2N sodium hydroxide q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. for pH adjustment pH 7.0 pH 7.0 pH 7.0 pH 7.0 pH 7.0 pH 7.4 pH 7.4 pH 7.4 pH 7.4 pH 7.6 pH 7.4 Water q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. 100 ml 100 ml 100 ml 100 ml 100 ml 100 ml 100 ml 100 ml 100 ml 100 ml 100 ml % bromfenac remaining Not Not 89, 90 74, 74 95, 96 99, 98 97, 97 95, 97 96, 97 98, 98 96, 98 after storage at 40° C., 4 tested tested weeks⁽¹⁾ % bromfenac remaining 77, 77 17, 17 71, 71 36, 36 85, 86 93, 93 93, 92 93, 93 87, 88 94, 95 89, 89 after storage at 60° C., 4 weeks⁽¹⁾ Note: ⁽¹⁾two samples of each formulation were tested.

In the exemplary formulations above, 2N sodium hydroxide solution was used to adjust the pH of the formulation. Another base, as known in the art (e.g., potassium hydroxide), may be used instead of sodium hydroxide. Such materials is referred to herein as “pH adjusters” or “pH controlling agents” and do not materially affect the patentability of the present invention.

Table 4 (UDB-10) shows that bromfenac in a non-preserved formulation remains chemically stable upon storage at 60° C. for four weeks (93% of the original bromfenac remained).

Table 4 also shows that povidone (polyvinylpyrrolidone) is not as effective as tyloxapol or a combination of tyloxapol and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose in keeping bromfenac chemically stable in a non-preserved formulation at 60° C. for four weeks. When tyloxapol was included in the non-preserved formulation, 89% or more (or 92% or more) of the original bromfenac remained after 4 weeks in storage at 60° C., or 95% or more after 4 weeks in storage at 40° C.

Non-preserved formulations are packaged in unit doses and are beneficial to patients who are sensitive to preservatives.

EXAMPLE 1

Eye Drop

Sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate 3/2 0.1 g hydrate Boric acid 1.1 g Borax 1.1 g Benzalkonium chloride 0.005 g Tyloxapol 0.02 g Polyvinylpyrrolidone (K-30) 2.0 g Sodium edetate 0.02 g Sodium hydroxide q.s. Sterile purified water to make total volume of 100 mL pH 8.17

An eye drop is prepared using the above components in a conventional manner.

EXAMPLE 2

Eye Drop

Sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate 3/2 0.1 g hydrate Boric acid 1.1 g Borax 1.1 g Benzalkonium chloride 0.005 g Tyloxapol 0.05 g Polyvinylpyrrolidone (K-30) 2.0 g Sodium edetate 0.02 g Sodium hydroxide q.s. Sterile purified water to make total volume of 100 mL pH 8.16

An eye drop is prepared using the above components in a conventional manner.

EXAMPLE 3

Eye Drop

Sodium 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate 0.1 g 3/2 hydrate Boric acid 1.1 g Borax 1.1 g Benzalkonium chloride 0.005 g Polyoxyl 40 stearate 0.02 g Polyvinylpyrrolidone (K-30) 2.0 g Sodium edetate 0.02 g Sodium hydroxide q.s. Sterile purified water to make total volume of 100 mL pH 8.19

An eye drop is prepared using the above components in a conventional manner.

EXAMPLE 4

Non-Preserved Formulation to be Packaged as Unit-Dose Eye Drop

Component Exemplary Range Preferred Range Sodium 2-amino-3-(4- 0.04-0.2 g or 0.05-0.08 g bromobenzoyl)phenylacetate 0.04-0.1 g 3/2 hydrate Boric acid 1-2 g 1.5-1.9 g Borax (sodium borate or sodium 0.05-0.5 g 0.1-0.4 tetraborate) Tyloxapol 0.01-0.05 g 0.02-0.03 Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose 0.05-0.2 g  0.1-0.15 Disodium edetate 0-0.03 g   0-0.02 Sodium hydroxide q.s. to desired pH q.s. to desired pH Sterile purified water to make total to make total volume of volume of 100 mL 100 mL pH 7-7.5   7-7.5

An eye drop is prepared using the above components in a conventional manner.

Industrial Applicability

The aqueous liquid preparation of the present invention in the form of eye drops is useful for the treatment of blepharitis, conjunctivitis, scleritis, and postoperative inflammation. Such preparation is also useful for the treatment of nasal drop for treatment of, for example, allergic rhinitis and inflammatory rhinitis (e.g. chronic rhinitis, hypertrophic rhinitis, nasal polyp, etc.)

The present application is based on application No. 12427/2003 filed in Japan, and includes the entire contents thereof. By reference, the references including patents and patent applications cited herein are incorporated in the present application at the same level as when the entire contents thereof are disclosed. Furthermore, since it is obvious that the present invention can be carried out beyond the description of the above explanation and Working Examples, in light of the foregoing description, various other modifications and changes can be made to the present invention, and thus these modifications and changes should be considered to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A stable aqueous liquid preparation consisting essentially of: (a) a first component; (b) a second component; wherein the first component is 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof; (c) boric acid; (d) sodium tetraborate; and (e) water; wherein the hydrate is at least one selected from a 1/2 hydrate, 1 hydrate, and 3/2 hydrate; the first component is the sole pharmaceutical active ingredient contained in the preparation and is present in the preparation at a concentration from about 0.05 w/v % to about 0.2 w/v %; the second component is tyloxapol and is present in said liquid preparation in an amount sufficient to stabilize said first component; and wherein said stable liquid preparation is formulated for ophthalmic administration.
 2. The aqueous liquid preparation according to claim 1, wherein the first component is a 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid sodium salt.
 3. The aqueous liquid preparation according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of tyloxapol is from about 0.01 w/v % to about 0.05 w/v %.
 4. The aqueous liquid preparation according to claim 1, wherein the pH of the aqueous liquid preparation is from about 7 to about 7.5.
 5. The stable aqueous liquid preparation of claim 1; wherein the stable aqueous liquid preparation consists of: (a) 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid sodium salt; (b) tyloxapol; (c) boric acid; (d) sodium tetraborate; (e) water; and (f) a pH adjuster; wherein said liquid preparation is formulated for ophthalmic administration, and wherein the concentration of the 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid sodium salt is from about 0.04 w/v% to about 0.1 w/v %, and wherein the concentration of tyloxapol is from about 0.01 w/v % to about 0.05 w/v %.
 6. A stable aqueous liquid preparation consisting essentially of: (a) a first component; (b) a second component; wherein the first component is 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof; (c) boric acid; (d) sodium tetraborate; and (e) water; wherein the hydrate is at least one selected from a 1/2 hydrate, 1 hydrate, and 3/2 hydrate; the first component is the sole pharmaceutical active ingredient contained in the preparation and is present in the preparation at a concentration from about 0.04 w/v % to about 0.1 w/v %; the second component is tyloxapol; wherein said stable liquid preparation is formulated for ophthalmic administration; and wherein the stable aqueous liquid preparation is characterized in that at least about 89% of the original amount of the first component remains in the preparation after storage at about 60° C. for 4 weeks.
 7. The aqueous liquid preparation according to claim 6; wherein the stable aqueous liquid preparation is characterized in that greater than about 92% of the original amount of the first component remains in the preparation after storage at about 60° C. for 4 weeks.
 8. The aqueous liquid preparation according to claim 6; wherein the concentration of tyloxapol is from about 0.01 w/v % to about 0.05 w/v %; and wherein the first component is a 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid sodium salt, wherein the concentration of the 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid sodium salt is from about 0.04 w/v % to about 0.1 w/v %.
 9. The aqueous liquid preparation according to claim 8, wherein the pH is from about 7 to about 7.5.
 10. The stable aqueous liquid preparation of claim 6; wherein the stable aqueous liquid preparation consists of: (a) 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof, wherein the hydrate is at least one selected from a 1/2 hydrate, 1 hydrate, and 3/2 hydrate; (b) tyloxapol; (c) boric acid; (d) sodium tetraborate; (e) water; and (f) a pH adjuster; and wherein the concentration of the 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid sodium salt is from about 0.05 w/v % to about 0.08 w/v %, and the concentration of tyloxapol is about 0.02 w/v%.
 11. A stable aqueous liquid preparation consisting essentially of: (a) a first component; and (b) a second component; wherein the first component is 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof; (c) boric acid; (d) sodium tetraborate; and (e) water; wherein the hydrate is at least one selected from a 1/2 hydrate, 1 hydrate, and 3/2 hydrate; the first component is the sole pharmaceutical active ingredient contained in the preparation and is present in the preparation at a concentration from about 0.04 w/v % to about 0.2 w/v %; the second component is tyloxapol; wherein said stable liquid preparation is formulated for ophthalmic administration; provided that the liquid preparation does not include mannitol.
 12. The aqueous liquid preparation according to claim 11, wherein the aqueous liquid preparation further consists of sodium sulfite.
 13. The aqueous liquid preparation according to claim 11, wherein the first component is a 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid sodium salt.
 14. The aqueous liquid preparation according to claim 11, wherein the concentration of tyloxapol is from about 0.01 w/v % to about 0.05 w/v % and the concentration of the 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid sodium salt is from about 0.05 to about 0.08 w/v %.
 15. The aqueous liquid preparation according to claim 11, wherein the pH is from about 7 to about 7.5.
 16. The stable aqueous liquid preparation of claim 11; wherein the stable aqueous liquid preparation consists of: (a) 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof, wherein the hydrate is at least one selected from a 1/2 hydrate, 1 hydrate, and 3/2 hydrate; (b) tyloxapol; (c) boric acid; (d) sodium tetraborate; (e) water; (f) disodium edetate; (g) sodium sulfite; and (h) a pH adjuster; wherein the concentration of the 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid sodium salt is from about 0.04 w/v% to about 0.1 w/v %, and the concentration of tyloxapol is from about 0.01 w/v% to about 0.05 w/v %.
 17. The stable aqueous liquid preparation of claim 11; wherein the stable aqueous liquid preparation is characterized in that at least about 89% of the original amount of the first component remains in the preparation after storage at about 60° C. for 4 weeks.
 18. The stable aqueous liquid preparation of claim 11; wherein the stable aqueous liquid preparation is characterized in that at least about 92% of the original amount of the first component remains in the preparation after storage at about 60° C. for 4 weeks.
 19. The stable aqueous liquid preparation according to claim 18, wherein the concentration of tyloxapol is from about 0.02 w/v % to about 0.03 w/v %; and wherein the first component is a 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid sodium salt, wherein the concentration of the 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid sodium salt is from about 0.05 w/v % to about 0.08 w/v %.
 20. The aqueous liquid preparation according to claim 19, wherein the pH of the aqueous liquid preparation is from about 7 to about 7.5.
 21. The stable aqueous liquid preparation of claim 11; wherein the stable aqueous liquid preparation consists of: (a) 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a hydrate thereof, wherein the hydrate is at least one selected from a 1/2 hydrate, 1 hydrate, and 3/2 hydrate; (b) tyloxapol; (c) boric acid; (d) sodium tetraborate; (e) water; (f) disodium edetate; (g) sodium sulfite; and (h) a pH adjuster; wherein said liquid preparation is formulated for ophthalmic administration; and wherein the concentration of the 2-amino-3-(4-bromobenzoyl)phenylacetic acid sodium salt is from about 0.04 w/v % to about 0.1 w/v %.
 22. The aqueous liquid preparation of claim 1, wherein the aqueous liquid preparation does not include any preservative.
 23. The aqueous liquid preparation of claim 6, wherein the aqueous liquid preparation does not include any preservative.
 24. The aqueous liquid preparation of claim 11, wherein the aqueous liquid preparation does not include any preservative.
 25. The aqueous liquid preparation according to claim 1, optionally further consisting of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of buffers, thickeners, stabilizers, chelating agents, and pH controlling agents. 